Report: Former UMD coach Nielson will stay at USD with raise, contract extension

It's been a wild 72 hours in the world of South Dakota football, but it's now being reported that Bob Nielson is discussing a contract extension and will remain with the program.

Midco Sports' Jay Elsen tweeted on Tuesday afternoon that Nielson, the former football coach and athletic director at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), had gone on the record and indicated his plans to stay.

"There is absolutely no truth to any of these rumors regarding me and Kent State," Nielson told Elsen. "I am not pursuing the job. I am the head coach at South Dakota and plan to be for the future."

Elsen's report directly contradicts what sources told KBJR6 Sports on Monday night, which was that Nielson had been offered the job at Kent State and that he was expected to accept. Those sources stood by their comments on Tuesday afternoon, and one indicated that he'd been offered a sizable increase in salary.

Elsen also spoke with South Dakota athletic director David Herbster, who said talks with Nielson have been ongoing.

"We have been working on Bob's contract since before the season ended," he said to Elsen. "We look to complete the process quickly."

Nielson has been with South Dakota for two seasons, leading the Coyotes to an (8-4) record in 2017 and the program's first-ever FCS national playoff berth.